StarVista Entertainment and Time Life Entertainment have made quite the name for themselves over the course of recent years. Releases of classic series such as The Carol Burnett Show, Mama’s Family, The Dean Martin Show, China Beach, and most recently The Wonder Years have taken a company that for years was the butt of many people’s jokes to a place in the upper echelons of home entertainment companies. For years, Time Life was known mainly for the not-so-well-known products that it pushed through extended advertisements on television. Now it has carved out even more of a comfortable place in that upper echelon with the release of The Midnight Special on DVD. The classic late night live concert series was released in a number of formats last month, resurrecting one more important piece of television and music history. The show’s six-disc collector’s edition is one of the best of the sets that any fan of classic television and music can add to their own home library. That is because it is one of the best examples of what made this series so great during its nine-year run on NBC. It presents ninety-six total performances from bands, artists and groups across the music industry’s spectrum. The acts that make appearances throughout the set’s six discs are the center of this box set’s enjoyment and success. Just as important to note is the quality of the footage. More than four decades have passed since the Midnight Special first debuted in 1972. In that time, the footage presented in these performances has stood the test of time quite well. And last but not least worth noting in the set’s success is its companion booklet. The booklet serves as an episode guide for viewers. That is the central point of its importance. It also features personal insight from the series’ creator Burt Sugarman. Sugarman’s retrospection on the series and its importance adds one more layer of appreciation for this series. Together with the acts that appear on each set and the quality of the footage, all three factors together make The Midnight Train another wonderful release from Time Life Entertainment and StarVista Entertainment.

The Midnight Special was one of the most famed and beloved series on television during its day. Unlike so many other series of the time, acts that came on the series in its heydey actually sang instead of lip synching. What’s more, unlike American Bandstand, The Midnight Special focused on more than just the big pop acts of its day. The acts that came to perform on NBC’s live overnight concert series spanned the music world’s ranks. That is the most important aspect of this recently released classic series. The acts that performed on The Midnight Special included the likes of John Denver performing alongside Linda Rondstadt and Aerosmith performing alongside Barry White, The Stylistics, and ELO. It also featured acts the likes of: B.B. King, Frankie Vallie, Sammy Hagar, The O’Jays, BeeGees, and so many other greats that are still remembered today. Even the show’s host himself, radio host Wolfman Jack was a celebrity in his own right. Even today, he and those acts noted here are just as beloved as they were decades ago. In an era when so many musical acts are little more than flash-in-the-pan pop acts and rarely radio worthy rock bands, musicaians and audiences alike need to be reminded of what once made music great and could again–originality and real talent. That in mind, it makes sense that the list of performers that came on The Midnight Special is the central point of this series’ success whether in its six-disc box set or its other formats.

The list of artists, bands, and groups that graced The Midnight Special’s stage during its nine-year run on NBC is the most important aspect of this series’ recent re-issue. More than four decades have passed since it first debuted on NBC in 1972. That makes for plenty of reason to be concerned about the quality of the show’s footage in its transfer from tape to disc. Luckily for audiences of all ages, painstaking efforts were taken to present the performances as they appeared in their original broadcasts. Those efforts paid off in spades as both the audio and video of each performance have been well-balanced. Any impurities in the quality of the footage whether in the audio or video are so minute that they are unnoticable. The end result is a product that for the show’s original audiences will generate a much-welcomed sense of nostalgia. Both for those same audiences and the show’s much younger audiences, it also serves to show just how far music has come (both in a good and bad way) and how far recording technology has come, too. So in the end, the quality of the footage in these performances makes Time Life and StarVista’s new re-issue of The Midnight Special even more enjoyable for audiences of all ages.

The efforts taken to transfter The Midnight Special’s master tapes to disc have definitely not been for nothing. The show looks and sounds just as good as it did in its original run all those years ago in its rencet re-issue. The acts that appeared on the show (and that are featured on the new six-disc compilation) are just as important to the overall presentation. Both aspects together more than make the series worth a watch or two in any of its three re-issue formats. The last aspect of the series’ re-issue (at least in its six-disc compilation format) that makes it a success and so enjoyable is the set’s companion booklet. The booklet serves primarily as an episode guide, pointing out disc-by-disc and episode-by-episode each artist, band, and group that appears. That listing even includes the songs performed by said acts. By itself, the episode listing more than helps the enjoyment of the series’ re-issue. The added insight from series creator Burt Sugarman adds one more layer of enjoyment to the series’ various presentations. In terms of the six-disc box set, Sugarman recalls how so few people had faith in the show and how great it felt to prove those naysayers wrong. That insight along with other comments from Sugarman make for even more interest and enjoyment in watching the performances culled for the show’s different re-issues. While being the last of the noteworthy factors that make The MIdnight Special so…well…special, it is hardly the least important of the factors that make the series’ sets such a joy. This aspect, along with the quality production values and the performances culled for the releases, makes The Midnight Special a truly special experience for viewers of all ages.

Kindie-rock star Riff Rockit released his latest album If I Could Fly last week. The album, his second so far this year, is a solid follow-up his previous release, the fully Spanish-language album Luz Verde Vamos. This latest release includes a trio of songs from that album, translated completely into English. The feline-centric song ‘Mr. Tux’ is one of those songs. It is also one of the most enjoyable of those songs and one of the best songs included in this album, too. Just as enjoyable is the seasonably fitting ‘Beach.’ As if that isn’t enough, Rockit has also crafted a birthday song for a whole new generation in the simply titled ‘Birthday.’ Forget the classic ‘Happy Birthday.’ This is a whole new birthday song that will have kids and even parents wanting to sing. The songs noted here are just a few examples of will most certainly make this record a favorite among both kids and their parents. The remaining seven tracks not noted each make If I Could Fly just as enjoy able by themselves. Together with the noted tracks, they make If I Could Fly a record that could soar into any critic’s list of the year’s best new children’s albums.

If I Could Fly is highlighted by so many enjoyable songs both for children and adults. Any one of the album’s ten total tracks could serve as a representative single for this release. The most enjoyable of the album’s tracks—in the eyes of this critic—is a song that Rockit carried over from his most recent album Luz Verde Vamos. The song in question is titled ‘Mr. Tux.’ It is a song centered on a rather well-to-do celebrity feline, believe it or not. While the song’s lyrics will entertain both children and their parents, the song’s 80s style sound will take many parents back in time. The use of the guitars and keyboards in this song is a direct throwback to another era of music. Yet somehow, Riff Rockit has somehow taken that sound and improved on it in this case. The song’s lyrical side makes the song even more fun for listeners. Riff Rockit sings in this song about a tuxedo cat named…well…Mr. Tux. He sings of the cat that he is definitely living the good life. He sings that the cat in question is “Black and white/A fur machine/The coolest kitten in Los Angeles…Got a mansion in the canyon/Yeah, he’s living it good…Making movies/Livin’ the life….he loves to dance/Rocks every gig/he is a legend on the sunset strip.” Needless to say, this is one cat that is living in the lap of luxury. One can so easily see this cat living it up as Riff Rockit sings about the fancy feline, too. That vivid imagery and infectious club style grooves are sure to entertain listeners over and over.

‘Mr. Tux’ is a fun song for listeners of any age. It’s so fun because for starters it is original. It is one more example of what makes children’s music just as fun as music for grown-ups if not more fun. The fact that it can take the classic sounds of the 80s and update them makes the song even better. As enjoyable as ‘Mr. Tux’ is, there are still other examples of what makes If I Could Fly work as well as it does. One of those other examples comes in the form of the pleasantly relaxing ‘Beach.’ This song’s music lyrics perfectly mirror one another. It would have been so easy to make it another up-tempo song that so many songs of a day at the beach prove to be. Rockit took the road less traveled road instead with this composition. It takes the vantage point of someone simply appreciating the calm and simplicity of being at the beach. He sings in this song, “sitting by the ocean/Cool summer breeze/Sitting by the ocean/I love/I love/I love/The beach.” The classic 80s style guitar solo incorporated into the song’s bridge adds just enough accent to the song to make it really work. Audiences can close their eyes and visualize every word in their own theater of dreams. Visions of a person sitting on the beach on the first morning of summer just after sunrise come to mind. The waves are gently hitting the sand. It is its own song celebrating summer. That individuality and gentle melody makes this song stand out so well as another of this album’s best moments. It still isn’t the last of those moments, either. There is still one more song on this album that serves as an example of what makes it “fly.” That song is Rockit’s very own ‘Birthday’ song.

‘Birthday’ is a good mid-tempo rocker that is certain to have parents and kids alike clapping and singing along. He sings over the song’s somewhat driving sound, “Well it’s your birthday/Gonna have a party/Everybody’s getting’ ready/Don’t it feel good/You got your favorite music/So let’s get to it/These balloons blown up/Hats for all your friends/Today is your birthday/So let’s have a party/Take lots of pictures/And celebrate you’re one year older/Have all your friends over/For fun and ice cream and cake/Happy birthday to you.” If one didn’t know any better, one could almost argue that Rockit’s guitar solos hint a little bit at and AC/DC influence, believe it or not. They actually sound a little bit like Angus’ guitar lien from AC/DC’s hit ‘Highway to Hell’ go figure. They have a certain little kick and sound about them that hints at that influence. Audiences will hear for themselves when they purchase this album for their own children. Potential influences aside, parents and children alike will agree in listening to this song that they will want this song playing at their next birthday party instead of the more standard ‘Happy Birthday.’ It is that fun and catchy. That musical and lyrical catchiness together make it one more of so many songs from this album that is ready for radio airplay. And together with the songs not noted here, it becomes one more part of an album that makes a solid argument for a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s best new children’s albums.

Riff Rockit currently has no tour dates scheduled. However, parents and children can find out when his next live performance will be online via his official Facebook page, website, and Twitter page. They can also keep up with all of his latest news and updates through both sites. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to the Phil’s Picks Facebook page and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog, too.

Anyone that keeps up with the news of the world each day knows that there is a lot of trouble going on in the Middle East right now. Tensions between the Palestinians and Israelis have really stepped up again in recent weeks as have the attacks. It’s really a sad state of affairs. For all of the negativity coming from that part of the world, at least one positive has come from that war-ravaged land this year. That one positive is the sophomore album from the Tel-Aviv, Israel-based band Hammercult. Steelcrusher, the band’s follow-up to its 2012 debut album Anthems of the Damned, is a full on assault on the ears that will make any purist member of the Metal Nation worldwide proud. The album’s songs are sung with tongue planted firmly in cheek. One look at the obviously intentionally over-the-top album cover, the cover photo on the band’s Facebook page and one listen through this album proves this to be the case. The band pokes fun at the stereotypes placed on metal and its legions of fans from start to finish. The end result is an album that will have audiences both laughing and rocking along throughout every song. One of the best examples of that satire comes in the form of the metal anthem ‘Metal Rules Tonight.’ There is also the full throttle song about the stereotypes of metal bands on the road in the album’s penultimate song ‘Heading For War.’ And then there is ‘Unholy Art,’ which seems to poke fun at the stereotypes of metal and hard rock in general created by certain groups. It’s one more example of the works on this record that will again, have audiences laughing and rocking along from start to finish.

Audiences will note in listening to Hammercult’s recently released sophomore album Steelcrusher, that there are some pretty dark sounding songs, lyrically and musically speaking. But the reality of the albums on this record is that they were obviously written with tongue planted pretty firmly in cheek. One look at the cover photo on the band’s Facebook page drives home the argument that the band is anything but the dark, evil entity that others such as perhaps Ghost, Emperor, etc. One piece of evidence in that argument comes in the form of the anthemic ‘Metal Rules Tonight.’ Not only does the band encourage the metal legions of the world to put their collective metal horns in the air, it also goes so far as to pay tribute to one of the biggest names in metal in the form of Metallica. Front man Yokir Shochat sings in this full-on anthem, “I’m so wasted/I can’t stand/Grab a *&$$%/Get some #&@%/Speakers blasting through the wall/Master of Puppets and Balls to the Walls.” He goes on later in the song singing to listeners, “Bang your head in full conviction/Raise your fists and show the horns/No remorse or lamentations/Play it loud/Or die/Metal rules tonight/Trends will come and fade away/Heavy metal is here to stay/We are damned but we are free/It’s our way of life/The way it should be/Metal!” That last line sort of echoes AC/DC’s ‘Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’ in which front man Brian Johnson sings that “Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution/Rock and roll it will live on.” The song’s speed/thrash metal musical backing will have its fans putting their horns high in the air with pride as they sing along to this metal anthem.

‘Metal Rules Tonight’ is one of the highest of points on Hammercult’s new album. It is only one piece of evidence in the argument that despite the band’s speed/thrash metal sound and its seemingly dark lyrics, it should be taken with a relatively large grain of salt. Another piece of evidence in that argument comes late in the album in the song ‘Heading For War.’ Right off the top, Shochat makes that clear once again as he screams, “Thrashing hotels every day/Heads are banging/Ears are bleeding/Raise your hammers/Ready to explode.” He sings in another verse, “Racing to another city/Party hard tonight/Heavy drinking/Never stopping/It’s the only way we stay alive.” These two verses alone more than tell audiences everything that they need to know about this song. If that’s not enough, the song’s chorus makes painfully clear that there’s nothing evil at all about the band or its album. Shochat sings in the chorus, “Heading for the stage, heading for war/Yes, we live or the fight/And die for the cause we believe to be right/Giving it all with fury and force/Spreading the sound of destruction.” Shochat likens being on the road, performing on stage after stage to like being in a war. Though, interestingly enough, one could argue that there is a lightly veiled reference to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians there and the lack of sense in it. Instead of being involved in that conflict though, the band lives and dies for metal in that “battle” to spread metal’s word to the world. If that veiled commentary on the war in the Gaza strip is in fact there, then that double meaning in this verse makes the song in whole all the more interesting. And along with ‘Metal Rules Tonight,’ it makes the album in whole all the more worth the listen, too.

‘Metal Rules Tonight’ and ‘Heading For War’ are both prime examples of what audiences can expect from Steelcrusher. Both songs show that despite the album’s similarity to works from the likes of Exmortus, Arch Enemy, and others of that ilk, it actually stands out quite a bit from those bands. There is one more example of the band’s tongue in cheek delivery on this album. That example is the song ‘Unholy Art.’ The band’s commentary is perhaps at its strongest in this song as Shochat and company point the finger right back at those that would judge the metal community, singing, “The blackest hearts and darkest minds/You never know just what you will find/It’s not for the faint of heart/This is the Unholy Art/Dishonored/A branded kind/The masses will burn in the flames of our pride/We’ll rise to our own blackened skies/And devour the worlds/And we’re starting tonight. The band singing together, “It’s not for the faint of heart/This is the Unholy Art” is itself a sarcastic statement. It’s Shochat and his band mates almost laughing as they say, “oh it’s such evil stuff. It’s not for the faint of heart.” Again, it’s just one more example of how firmly in their cheeks the band members’ tongues are planted in this record. The statement of “The blackest hearts and darkest minds” is something of a statement against the stereotypes created by certain groups against the metal masses around the world. Those judgmental groups are so fast to throw the first stone even without knowing the full story or doing their research. It’s such searing commentary in so few words. It makes for one of the most powerful statements of the album’s entire body of songs. Of course together with the previously noted songs (and those not noted) it makes the entire collection of songs an album that any true-blooded member of the metal nation worldwide will enjoy and appreciate.

Steelcrusher is available now in stores and online. It can be downloaded via iTunes and Amazon or purchased at the band’s next upcoming performance. The band is currently scheduled to perform live August 9th at Brutal Assault in Jaromer, Czech Republic. Audiences can pick up Steelcrusher at that performance, too. More information and tour updates are available online via the band’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to the Phil’s Picks Facebook page and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog.

Joe Satriani’s latest release, Unstoppable Momentum is the famed guitarist’s best release since his 2006 album, Super Colossal. This new record is the album that fans have waited for since the release of Super Colossal. It is just as bombastic as Super Colossal and more at some points. It’s also just as gentle as SC, too at different points. Perhaps a big reason for the success of this record is the Satch opted for a different backing group than he typically uses on his records. Many of Satriani’s past records were recorded with Jeff Campitelli on drums and Allen Whitman on bass. This time out, Satch opted instead to have drummer Vinnie Colaiuta man the kit and Chris Chaney add the low end on bass. Another change to the lineup that could have created such a difference on this record from his other works was the inclusion of Mike Frasier behind the glass once again. The two are quite familiar with one another, having worked together on no less than six of Satch’s previous records, including his most recent album, Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards (2010) and Super Colossal. He also helped with the creation of both of Chickenfoot’s current releases on which Joe played guitar. That familiarity and friendship between the pair—and the inclusion of new musicians–obviously played a role in the record’s sound as it has proven to be not just his best record since Super Colossal, but one of his finest records to date.

Right from the opening number of Unstoppable Momentum, long-time fans of Satriani’s work know they are in for quite a ride. The album opens fittingly with its title track. Simply listening to the song, one can’t help but hear that perhaps Satriani is making a statement early on that even fourteen albums in, he still has a lot left to offer audiences. He still has that “unstoppable momentum.” The song’s seeming ABA structure starts off easy before really kicking things up in the middle section. Joe shows without a doubt that he’s still got plenty left in the tank with his “solos” in this section while drummer Vinnie Colaiuta gives an added intensity with his musicianship behind the kit. He proves to be just as solid as [Jeff] Campitelli, if not more so. His ability to handle polyrhythmic patters without missing a single beat is impressive to say the least, both here and throughout the record. This is just one example of what makes this such a solid record.

Another good example of what makes Unstoppable Momentum a success is the almost Beatles-esque, ‘I’ll Put a Stone on Your Cabin.’ The song’s “A” sections have something of a Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club influence. Somehow, Satriani and his band mates manage to tie in a sound that is quite the counterpoint to this vibe, making the song into a piece unlike anything that Satriani has ever recorded throughout his career. It is one of those songs that simply must be heard to be appreciated and understood.

There is at least one more example of what makes this new record one that fans will enjoy. And it is the album’s absolutely shortest, but most touching piece. That song is the one minute and forty-three minute long, ‘I’ll Put a Stone on Your Cairn.’ For those that don’t know, one of the traditional uses of a cairn is as a monument to one who has passed on. Its use roots all the way back to prehistoric Eurasia. So placing a stone on one’s cairn would be an act of tribute and remembrance to the deceased. Keeping all of this in mind, the gentle, dulcet tones of this short opus are sure to create thoughts in the minds of listeners of perhaps those that they have lost. It offers some of the album’s deepest emotions and is sure to generate among listeners some of the deepest emotions, as well. Without a doubt, this song may end up being a favorite for fans, even as short as it is. And it is just one more among so many that listeners will enjoy throughout the course of the album’s eleven total tracks. The album is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered online via Joe’s website, http://www.satriani.com, where he has links to iTunes, Amazon, and through his own website. Fans can also order the new album and all sorts of Joe Satriani gear through his official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/joesatriani. Fans can keep up with the latest tour updates and news from Joe on his Facebook page, too.

Metal Alliance Tour headliners Anthrax had a couple very special guests last night at the tour’s sold out stop in Hollywood, CA. The tour made a stop at the Hollywood, CA House of Blues last night. Much to the surprise of audiences in attendance, Anthrax was joined on stage during its set by none other than Public Enemy front man Chuck D. and guitarist Slash. Slash joined the band on-stage for its performance of AC/DC’s hit, ‘T.N.T.’ Slash covered lead guitar duties for this performance. Later in the night’s performance, Chuck D. surprised everyone when he came on stage and performed ‘Bring The Noise’ with the band. The band originally recorded this song with Public Enemy in 1991.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Cabral

Slash and Chuck D. were just a couple of the celebrities in house for last night’s stop on the Metal Alliance Tour. Kerry King (Slayer), John Tempesta (The Cult, Rob Zombie), Justin Chendellor (Tool), Brendon Small (Dethklok) and actor/musician Brian Posehn were also on hand for last night’s show.

The Metal Alliance Tour runs through late April. It was in San Francisco, CA tonight. Friday, the tour—also featuring Municipal Waste, Exodus, High on Fire, and Holy Grail—will be at the Roseland Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. Fans in North Carolina will get the chance to see the band live when it makes a stop at the Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte. And right now, fans can get the chance to see Anthrax for Free when the tour comes to Charlotte next month. The Phil’s Picks Facebook page and the Tremont Music Hall together are giving away a pair of tickets to see the band free. Along with the tickets, one lucky fan will also win a copy of the band’s new EP, Anthems. Fans need just go to the Phil’s Picks Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Once that’s done, fans need only send a message or write on the Phil’s Picks timeline indicating that they want in on the contest. One lucky person’s name will be drawn Friday morning at 9am. The tickets to the show will be at Will Call at the Tremont Music Hall. The winner can either pick up the CD in person or have it mailed to them.

Anthrax has proven once again with its new EP, Anthems, why it is still one of rock’s elite bands. This veteran rock act has crafted in its new release a work that is perfect in every way. From the sequencing to the sound to the very packaging, everything that could have been done right was done right. Sure, it probably is essentially a space filler between albums, but even if that is the case, it is one heck of a space filler. It’s a musical history lesson for rockers of all ages. Here, audiences get a band that by comparison to the bands it covers is relatively young. Yet it shows that it knows the classics through some expert renditions of said classics.

Anthems opens with a cover of Rush’s ‘Anthem.’ This song originally appeared on Rush’s album, Fly By Night. That Anthrax would cover Rush is a mind blower in and of itself. Considering the style of music for which Anthrax is known, one would not instantly consider such a polar opposite sound to be any kind of influence on the band. So that in itself is an eye opener. That the band so expertly covered the song is even more of an eye opener. The band paid homage to Rush and the song with its cover, but still added its own touch to the song, too. Front man Joey Belladonna makes the song even more solid of an opener when he sings the line, “Welcome to the world.” When Geddy Lee first sang those words, they obviously had their own meaning. But having Belladonna sing those same words, they somehow take on a whole new meaning. Since this is the EP’s opener, it could be argued that those words take on an introductory fashion for new listeners and a whole new introduction even for those more seasoned audiences. Given, that probably wasn’t the intended function of that line. But it does seem to have that impact.

The band’s new EP only gets better from the opening cover. The EP’s second track is a cover of another legendary band’s song. The band’s cover of AC/DC’s ‘TNT’ is without a doubt, one of this disc’s major high points. One can’t help but focus yet again on front man Joey Belladonna. Maybe it is just this critic’s own take on the song, but Belladonna sounds eerily like the late great Bon Scott in every sense in this song. Had one not known it was him, one might actually have thought it was the original song. This is also thanks in part to guitarist Rob Caggiano, who earlier this year announced his departure from the band. His take on Angus Young’s guitar work on this rock classic pays Young full honor. And drummer Charlie Benante’s drumming is just as solid as that of Phil Rudd. This is one that one could easily see the band performing live as it tours the country on the Metal Alliance Tour this Spring.

If Anthrax’s covers of ‘TNT’ and ‘Anthem’ aren’t enough for fans, then the cover of Boston’s ‘Smokin’’ will impress audiences. This is yet another spot on cover that keeps the energy flowing from the EP’s first two tracks. Older, more experienced rockers will love how the band handles this track. And that such a young band by comparison could so expertly handle this classic will make older audiences smile, too. Younger audiences will love it too simply because the band shines here even more. It’s as if the band just keeps getting better and better on every track. This is the case with the remaining trio of covers included here, too. Those covers lead into the inclusion of two more bonuses in the form of ‘Crawl’ and its remix of sorts.

‘Crawl’ was taken from the band’s 2011 album, Worship Music. Including both this track and its remix was actually quite smart. Whereas so many bands in a case such as this would only include the redone track or live track, Anthrax and Megaforce Records have included both tracks, thus offering audiences the chance to compare and decide for themselves which version of the song they like better. Regardless of which song becomes one fan’s favorite or another’s these last two tracks help the EP close just as solidly as it opened. It goes without saying that if any one negative that could be said about Anthems, it is that the band chose to make this an EP, instead of a full length album. Here’s to hoping one day, fans will see that happen. Until then, fans can listen to his EP to their hearts’ content as the EP is available now both in stores and online. It can be ordered online direct from the official Anthrax website here: http://anthrax.com/2013/03/19/anthems-is-here/. Worship Music can be ordered directly via the band’s official website also at http://shop.anthrax.com/shop.cfm/pk/category/ac/detail/cid/409267/prodid/412162.

Fans can get a chance to win a copy of Anthems for free right now and the chance to see the band live at its stop in Charlotte, North Carolina next month from the Phil’s Picks blog and Facebook page when they “Like” the Phil’s Picks Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/philspicks. Just “Like” the Phil’s Picks Facebook page and say you want to be entered for the chance to win an EP and to see the band live.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is coming. One of the year’s most anticipated games will be here in just a matter of weeks. As the big day nears, Activision and Treyarch have released another brand new trailer for the game featuring what can only be described as some of the best graphics of any game so far this year. And it’s all set to the backdrop of AC/DC’s hit song, ‘Back in Black.’ Fans can check out this brand new trailer now online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6vOWbJ46XU.

Fans who don’t want to have to wait until the release date can pre-order the game now and get the Nuketown 2025 Bonus Map, and even get the game in very special limited editions. To get more information on pre-ordering, fans can go online to http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2/preorder. And to get all the latest on COD Black Ops 2 as the days tick down, fans can go online to the official COD Black Ops 2 website at http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2.